Question

Let $$ B = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 3 \\ 1 & 5 \end{bmatrix} $$ and $A$ be a $2 \times 2$ matrix such that $$ AB^{-1} = A^{-1}. $$ If $BCB^{-1} = A$ and $$ C^4 + \alpha C^2 + \beta I = O, $$ then $2\beta - \alpha$ is equal to: 

• A. 16
• B. 2
• C. 8
• D. 10

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

We are given the following matrix relations:
\(BCB^{-1} = A\)
\(\Rightarrow (BCB^{-1})(BCB^{-1}) = A \cdot A\)
\(\Rightarrow BCI \cdot CB^{-1} = A^2 \quad \text{(since \( B^{-1}B = I \))}\)
\(\Rightarrow BC^2 B^{-1} = A^2\)
\(\Rightarrow B^{-1}(BC^2 B^{-1})B = B^{-1}A^2B\)
\(\Rightarrow B^{-1}C^2 B = B^{-1}A^2B\)

From the above relations, we can use the fact that:

\[ C^2 = A^{-1} \cdot A \cdot B \Rightarrow C^2 = B \]

Next, since \(AB^{-1} = A^{-1}\), we can manipulate the expression for \(C^2\):

\[ AB^{-1} \cdot A = A^{-1} \Rightarrow B^{-1}A = A^{-1} \cdot A^{-1} \]

Thus, \(C^2\) and the matrix \(B\) satisfy the characteristic equation:

\[ |C^2 - \lambda I| = 0 \] \[ |B - \lambda I| = 0 \]

Now, we solve the characteristic equation:
\(\begin{vmatrix} 1 - \lambda & 3 \\ 1 & 5 - \lambda \end{vmatrix} = 0\)
\(\Rightarrow (1 - \lambda)(5 - \lambda) - 3 = 0\)

\(\Rightarrow \lambda^2 - 6\lambda + 5 - 3 = 0\)
\(\Rightarrow \lambda^2 - 6\lambda + 2 = 0\)
\(\Rightarrow \beta^2 - 6\beta + 2 = 0\)
\(\Rightarrow C^4 - 6C^2 + 2I = 0\)

Thus, solving the equation gives us:
\[ \alpha = -6, \quad \beta = 2 \]

Finally, we calculate:
\[ 2\beta - \alpha = 2 \times 2 - (-6) = 4 + 6 = 10 \]

Thus, the correct answer is:
\(\boxed{10}\)